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Louisiana’s lawsuit climate ranks second worst nationwide

Louisiana’s lawsuit climate ranks second worst nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Louisiana’s lawsuit climate is the second worst in the country at number 49 out of 50 according to a new national survey released this week by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR).

The 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey: Ranking the States found that Louisiana ranked last nationally for the fairness of its juries and for the impartiality and competence of its judges.

According to the survey, 75 percent of senior company attorneys surveyed say a state’s lawsuit environment is likely to impact important business decisions at their company, including where to locate or expand. That is an 18 percent increase from eight years ago, and an all-time high.

“More business leaders than ever have identified a state’s lawsuit climate as a significant factor in determining their growth and expansion plans,” said Lisa A. Rickard, president of ILR. “If the Louisiana governor and legislature want to attract businesses and build the state’s economy, they need to pass common sense reforms of the state’s judiciary.”

New Orleans/Orleans Parish was also named the fifth worst city or county nationally for the fairness and reasonableness of its legal environment.

As a state, Louisiana has never ranked higher than number 47 since the survey began in 2002.

The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East continues to appeal a lawsuit against dozens of oil and gas companies accusing them of causing coastal erosion that a federal judge dismissed in February because it failed to make a valid claim. Indiscriminate “legacy” lawsuits against oil and gas producers over alleged environmental damage also prompted Louisiana to pass a law in 2014 to curb the practice.

Additionally, judges, not juries, decide many lawsuits in Louisiana because the state only permits a jury trial for civil claims seeking $50,000 or more. That is the highest threshold in the nation and more than three times higher than the second highest state, Maryland.

In tandem with the survey, ILR released 101 Ways to Improve State Legal Systems, listing key legal reforms that states can adopt to improve their lawsuit climates. ILR also launched a national media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of a fair and balanced lawsuit system.

Harris Poll, a global polling firm, conducted the 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey through telephone and online interviews between March 9 and June 24, 2015. The respondents were more than 1,200 general counsels and senior attorneys or leaders in companies with annual revenues of at least $100 million.

To view the entire 50-state list and read a full copy of the 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey online visit: http://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/.